News Flash

Public Safety

ANAHEIM, CA (MARCH 16, 2017) – Late Wednesday evening, Anaheim Police SWAT personnel, assisted by the Orange County Sheriff’s SWAT Team, served simultaneous search warrants at three Anaheim residences: 1200 block of N. East Street, 600 block of S. Philadelphia St, and 200 block of S. Ohio St. The warrants were issued in relation to a gang related shooting in the 800 block of E. Balsam Ave on March 9th, during which the suspects fired approximately 20 rounds from an assault rifle. No victims were struck by the gunfire, but several residences were struck by bullets.

The nearly week-long investigation by the Anaheim Police Department Gang Detail and Crime Task Force led to the identification of four suspects and three residences associated with those suspects. All four suspects have prior criminal histories including weapons violations and felonious assaults. Based on the circumstances of the crime, the type of weapon used, and the past criminal histories, SWAT personnel were enlisted to serve the warrants. In addition to the search warrants, probable cause arrest warrants were issued for all four suspects for the crimes of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and gang enhancements with bail set at $1,000,000.

The alleged shooter, Margarito Sandoval, 25 years old, was arrested without incident earlier Wednesday evening as he left his residence in the 200 block of S. Ohio Street. Erick Malacara, 31 years old and Irvin Malacara, 27 years old were arrested at their residence in the 600 block of S. Philadelphia St. Giovanni Martinez, 21 years old, was arrested at his residence in the 1200 block of N. East St. All four were booked at the Anaheim Detention Facility on the above mentioned warrants.

ABOUT ANAHEIM — Anaheim is a full-service city supporting more than 358,000 residents, 20,000 businesses and 25 million annual visitors. The city provides public safety through the Anaheim Police Department and Anaheim Fire & Rescue, water and power service through Anaheim Public Utilities, parks, community centers, family services and libraries through Anaheim Community Services, neighborhood and transportation improvements through Anaheim Public Works and community revitalization through Community & Economic Development. Anaheim is a modern, diverse city with a proud history dating back to its 1857 founding. Anaheim is known worldwide as the home of the Disneyland Resort, including Walt Disney’s original Disneyland Park, as well as Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Angels Baseball, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks, and the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the West Coast. Anaheim’s thriving visitor industry and business community help support the city’s neighborhoods and make Anaheim a great place to live, work and play. For more, please see www.anaheim.net.Back to top